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The second day of the Navaratri Celebrations was welcomed by devotees as they gathered early to bathe in the powerful vibrations of the Vedic chants. Two Homams were performed including Pavamamana Homa and the Ashlesha Bali Homa. The Pavamamana Homa was performed to get everyone purified, so one could march forward towards God, and the Ashlesha Bali Homa was a special ritual offered to the Serpent gods, so they would free all from the curses garnered because of previous Karmas. Bhagawan entered the Yaaga Shaala at around 10:30 a.m.

A stunning Rangoli of Mandala with serpents was beautifully drawn by the Ritwiks, who had spent more than eight hours the previous day. The Vedic chants and an explanation about the efficacy of both the Homas at the end in both Kannada and English languages, captivated everyone present in the precincts of the blessed Hrudaya Mandir.

To celebrate the second day of the special Durga Puja, devotees from West Bengal performed a dance on the Mahishasurmardini Stotram, which signifies the prayers and calls of devotees to the Goddess Mother to come to earth and relieve them from all their worries, obstacles, and also fears. The devotees offered ‘Shree’ to Bhagawan in the form of a Shiva Lingam made of Maida—refined wheat flour.

After the Durga Arati offered by the Dhakis and Dhunuchi dance, Mangala Arati was offered to Bhagawan, and the morning session came to a conclusion.

Evening

The evening session commenced at Premamrutam Hall with sacred chanting of Sri Rudram and ‘Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’. The assemblage included devotees from across the globe, students and staff from various campuses of the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Group of Institutions. Bhagawan was welcomed amidst chantings of Durga Suktam and soulful renditions of Bhajans.

Bhagawan blessed gracefully, walking amidst His students, staff and devotees. After Bhagawan took His seat, the girls chanted Durva Suktam, followed by Mrittika Suktam. Thereafter, a short introduction to Brahmacharini, the second divine aspect of the mother, who is venerated was presented.

After a brief description about the significance of the Pavamana Homa, the speaker for the evening was Dr Prema Pandurang, a leading Harikatha exponent who is matchless, was all set to enthrall the congregation with her nectarine stories of Lord Sri Krishna. She beseeched Bhagawan to help her with her exposition and as she did her invocation prayers to all the Gods and Goddess, a red garland adorning the silver doors of the balcony snapped signifying Bhagawan’s abundant benedictions, and this sent the devotees into a spontaneous round of applause.

Her exposition comprised of Mother Yashoda’s love for Krishna, and her distractions and illusions that veiled the true nature of her son. She seamlessly quoted from varied scriptures like Narayaneeyam, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Krishna Kathamrutam, Krishna Karunamrutam, amongst others. It would be no exaggeration to say that even Gods in heaven would have felt jealous over the gathering – earthlings who were present on the day in this hallowed land of Muddenahalli, for this benevolent blessing of Sravanam – Listening.

Sri Narasimha Murthy spoke briefly about devotion. He hailed Dr Prema Pandurang’s expression of Bhakti and said that the august gathering is indeed blessed for this opportunity of listening. Bhagawan’s divine discourse followed next. He spoke about how the education today is focussed entirely on worldly subjects, leaving divine knowledge. He further elaborated the perils of acquiring only worldly knowledge and how it is leading the youth today to wrong path of endless desires. He quoted the examples of Ravanaasur – an adept in 64 arts and Duryodhana who had the strength of a 1000 elephants but both perished for lack of one quality – self-control. Bhagawan blessed Dr Prema Pandurang to continue with her Harikatha exposition until her last breath.

The evening session of day two came to a close with a fitting Bhajan for the occasion – ‘Govinda Krishna Jai’, and Mangala Arati was offered to Bhagawan.